The Search for Light: Finding New Hope.

Chapter 12: Reunion.

Luna teleports us instantly into the Everfree. The moment I feel my feet shift from hard floor of the castle to the soft ground, I fall unbalanced, face-planting into the ground. Double snickers a little, but I glare rage right into him, silencing him. Luna goes over the plan one more time. Me and her will go in, and talk to White. We will explain, as well as we can, the situation. And. . . Well, from there we are not even sure. We are hoping that White will understand. All the while, to my utter disagreement, Double, Midnight, and Stella get walk around, placed under an invisibility spell.

Luna and Double joint cast the spell, increasing it’s effect. With a swift nod from Luna, I lead us through the forest. Eventually, we reach a large clearing. I turn towards Luna. “I’m pretty sure it’s close now.” I hear some rustling and I flip around. I glare around, and pick up a rock, tossing it towards the sounds gently.

In the distance I hear a slight gasp. It must be. “Star?” I call out. Soon, the rustling of leaves, and the crunching of branches is heard.  “Silver?” She pokes her head though some bushes. Smiling when her eyes met mine. “Silver!” She calls out again and flings herself around me. “I was so worried. It’s been days since you left.” Has it really been days? Ever since I left, time just became one gray blur. Well, the morning I left the Everfree. Then, the test. I was knocked out for a bit, and it seems the sun is just starting to set now. It feels like just one long day. Just my luck. “Star. It is good to see you again.” She sniffs slightly, rubbing her head against my chest. I blush slightly, and cough. The princess giving me a knowing look. “Star? Where'd you run off to?” I hear her brother Blade call out. Soon, he joins us in the small clearing. First giving me an angry glare, but the moment his eyes meet the princess, he drops down, bowing instantly.

Silence is all around as as Star just glances around. “Blade? Silver? Whats going on.” Blade puts his hoof on Star, and makes her bow, whispering to her. “H-he brought the princess.” She lets out a gasp. “No need to bow. We are all equal here.” I smirk as they both stand. “Luna. This is Star, and Blade. Two ponies from the Lunar Garden. From your Kingdom of the Night.” Luna looks slightly shocked. She shakes herself slowly, and smiles at them. “I guess I have a lot to explain?” She laughs. Blade and Star just stand there. Shocked entirely. “Come on you two. I told you, didn’t I?” I let out a confident smile.

“It’s just that. . . I didn’t think it would be so quickly. It’s only been three days.” Star squeaks out, her murky eyes fixated on the princesses. “It’s just an honor.” Star bows again. I laugh a little. “Well, come on. We better get going to the Kingdom.”  Me and Luna walk by Star and Blade. Both of which are still in some form of shock. I let out a long sigh. “Come on. We. . . We have a lot to explain.”

After a quick walk through the forest, and a small journey through the cave, we arrive into the Lunar Garden. The sight still amazes me. Imagine, an entire new land, just barely hidden from sight. And, in the center of this expansive and beautiful land, is the Kingdom of the Night. I look over to Luna. Imagine. She created this place, and hid it away. How much power does an alicorn really have? I also look back towards my three hidden friends. ‘Welcome to the Kingdom of the Night.’ I mouth to them. I wish I could see the look on their faces.

“Well. This is going to be interesting.” I hear Luna speak, and turn back towards her. “What is it?” She looks to the kingdom in front of us. I look forward. Oh. That will make things complicated. Some ponies are still carrying out their average business, but, the moment they catch sight of the princess, they stop dead in their tracks. Soon, I think just about everypony is standing there, staring at the princess.

We start walking forward, everypony bowing as the princess passes them. Then, they lift up, and fallow us to the castle at the center of the town. I turn to Star. “Hey. Star. You should probably go get White.” She nods, and gallops off. We keep walking down the long street, the amethyst castle growing larger, towering above us. I look over at Luna again. She seems. . . Strangely calm. A look of familiarity on her face. “Luna?” I whisper to her and she glances towards me. “Do. . Do you remember this place?” She shakes her head,and leans towards me. “No. . . But yes. I’ve seen it before. In my own dreams.” I give a small nod. “Explain later.” I say as we keep walking.

Once we arrive, Star and White are already sitting on the steps of the castle. Star smirks “Took you long enough.” She says in a teasing voice, as White gives her a glare. Star just sits there, unaware of the glare. Once White finishes her glare, she looks to the princess, bowing before her. “There is no need for that.” Luna says, as she looks around. She steps up onto the landing, next to White. Luna turns and faces all the ponies gathered. “I am glad to be back. To be here. But, there has been a lot going on. So, everypony, just go back to your business. There shall be a better time for reunion later.” With a smile, the crowd starts to dissipate. “Shall we head inside, Luna?” I ask as I look to her.

It seems the shock has finally set in on her. She looks nervous. Slightly shaking as well. With a curt nod from her, we head into the castle. With no time for a tour, White quickly leads us into a side room. It’s a small room, compared to the normally large ones. And in it, a small table, enough room for us to sit at. Well, all of us, save three certain ponies. . . Speaking of which, I don’t see their shimmer anymore.  When the spell was cast, Luna put a spell on me, so I could see a slight shimmer of where the invisible ones are. They must have went somewhere else. I hope they don't wreck anything.

Star, Blade, White, and me all take our seats. Luna stands in front of all of us. She takes slow, deep breaths, and starts to explain everything.  Luna explains that she doesn’t remember this place like she should. She only now can recall fragments of the halls, and building. “So. I think in time, I will be able to remember entirely. But, you ponies need a ruler again. And, I will gladly do that for you. It’s the least  I can do.” I look between the Star, Blade, and White. “That is all that we could ask of you. Queen Luna.” White speaks out finally. Queen? That’s new. “Queen? Oh no. I could never take that title. Princess suites me just fine.” Luna says as she shakes her head. “What ever title you see fit. Mother.”

Luna stops, and stays still. Quickly glancing around the room. “M-mother?” She says quietly. “Why mother?” She questions. White gives a shrug. “It’s just how it’s been. Ever since this placed was formed. You took the young ones. The ones that were the most devastated from the fighting. And gave us this place as a home. We have just called you our mother since then.” Luna gives a small smile. I think she is feeling guilt over Stella. “Luna. We should continue explaining now.” Luna glances to me and nods.

“Ah. Yes. Well. I believe that it is best to not keep hidden.” Her statement is met with blank stares. “What do you mean? We’ve been hidden. Since forever. Some of us are even afraid to venture outside of the Kingdom. Let alone this land.” Blade speaks out. I guess there are those who would be opposed to change. “We don't have to reveal this place. But, I believe it would be best to have a form of communication with my sister at least.” White gives a nod, and holds up her hoof to silence any protest that would come from Blade. “Princess Luna. This is going to be a big decision. Up to you to make. But, I feel like there is something else you need to tell us.”

Luna gives a sad smile, and explains that there is a returning evil. Neros.  “There are these things, Called the Elements of Harmony. They can help fight him. But they need new Bearers. Without Bearers, the balance will be skewed, and Neros and his Shade will only destroy lands much quicker.”   White glances over to Star and Blade. “So you think that.” Luna only nods. Star and Blade glance between each other. Only giving looks of confusion. “How are you so sure?” White asks Luna. Not skeptical, but more in concern. Before Luna has a chance to answer, a crashing sound a few floors up rings out.

Oh no. We told them to. . . I let out a sigh. “Luna?” Luna nods and I stand up. “I’ll be back. Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.” With a few small goodbyes, I leave the room, closing the door behind me.

(Moments Earlier)

“This isn’t good.” I speak out. Nervousness evident on my voice.  “I know. I know. Just stay calm. I can get us in.” Midnight Lets out a giggle as she looks at Double. “No offense peachy boy, but the last time you teleported us, we almost went ‘splat’ on the ground. Thank Faust for wings.” Double glares at Midnight.”Oh, so you're just gonna fly us up there?” Midnight pauses in her tracks. Squinting. I look up, and spot what she saw. An open window, a few floors up. Oh no. “Sure.” She says bluntly, as she grabs both of us in her hoof. “Jus’ hang on.” She says as she spreads her wings.

“Oh great. All I wanted was to live a life. But now I’m gonna die. If only we were quicker, and stayed with them. Then we’d be in there. And not doing this out here!” Midnight looks at me. “Shush. We still have to be quiet.” I nod, and cross my hooves in front of me.  Just hurry this up, you crazy mare. After a couple silent seconds, she lifts up. Slowly we raise to the window. I feel Midnight shift. Back and fourth. Back and fourth. . . . Is she going to? I see the shimmery form of Double get tossed through the window. Before  I can protest, I am tossed as well. The world spinning before I land on top of double. Both of us on top of a bed, with purple blankets.

Soon, the shimmering figure of Midnight swoops into the room. “Huh. nice place.” She says as she looks around the room. Her eyes wander around the room. She fixates her vision on something. Her eyes go wide and she lets out a gasp. Double takes interest and has the same reaction when he looks over at what she is. What has got their attention? I move of the bed, and shake my self off. I stand next to midnight, and look at where she is.

A picture. An old, black and white photo, surrounded by a Silver frame, intertwined with gold wire. A photo of me. When I was younger. Being hugged by a younger looking Luna. Just out side this castle. With other younger ponies surrounding us. “Th-that’s me?” I stutter out, a questioning tone of disbelief on my voice. I step slowly up to the frame. I grasp it, and hold it close. That is definitely me. With Luna. Here. A throbbing pain shoots through my head. I curl onto the ground, the picture dropping to the ground, glass shattering. My hind leg kicks out, knocking the small night stand over, causing further havoc. “It. . It hurts!” I call out, as I keep grasping my throbbing head.

Quiet now, Stella. Just relax. I thought my spell would last longer. But, it seems the truth was going to come out eventually. Still, even with some of your memories, you are severely under-powered. I have nothing to fear. . . Yet. I better start preparing more. We will be seeing each other soon. Well. You will be seeing my power soon. . .

The evil, dark and corrupted voice, of my father rings out through my mind. I feel his words echo through me, till they slowly fade away. I lay there on the ground, shaking ever so slightly.  I feel the hooves of both Double and Midnight wrap around me. Consoling me. Soon, my shaking settles. I open my eyes slowly, the light of the room ever so slightly blinding to me. “I remember.” I speak slowly. “The fragments. Coming together. Slowly, but they are.”

I am brought back into the past, watching as pieces of my fragmented memory fit together. Centuries ago, Luna, and my father. . . Or, a pony who was once my father, had a kid. Me. Neros only wanted me as his evil pet, to manipulate and bend into a malicious monster, born of darkness. I was born, not as a unicorn, nor as an earth pony or pegasus. But as an alicorn, like my mother. Fearing that the power in me would be too strong to corrupt, he sealed it. Making the black cross on my cutie mark. Turning me into an earth pony. Luna was in a time of despair. Jealousy of her sister coursing through her. Corrupting her slowly. Turning her into just another evil being of the darkness.

But, the love of her sister ran deeper than the jealousy, and she was able to overcome those feelings. For the time being. And, in a time of clarity, she took me and brought me to a new land. A land that she would one day hope to form into a new kingdom. She told me that we would be able to be free here, to grow strong. But Neros was a clever being. He felt Luna’s possible betrayal, and followed her here. He attacked her, and froze me in the crystal. The only thing I could remember from that time, was her voice, and the lingering touch.

I think from there, he manipulated Luna more. From the sounds of it, he almost turned her. But the  love of her sister, and the light from the Elements were able to turn her back, and seal Neros. But he must have left darkness in her. For she would later, after the defeat of discord, become the dreaded Nightmare.

I’ve had it all wrong. They were right. Neros had planned this out. I stand to my hoof slowly, shaking again. Not from weakness, but from anger. Anger at myself for being so insolent. And anger at Neros, for the pain he has caused to everypony. “I’m sorry” I mumble out from under my breath. Soon, the door to the room is flung open, and I am met with the purple eyes of Silver. “Oh. Hey there.” The three of us smile.

Our smiles drop when we see three strange ponies appear behind him, followed by the princess. “We. . . We have a lot to explain, don't we?” The old white mare only nods. The young white mare only looks confused. The white stallion seems to be on guard, ready to attack us. Luna just looks entirely displeased at everything. And Silver doesn’t release everypony behind him yet. I bring up my hoof, and point behind him. He turns around. “Oh. . Yes. We do have a lot to explain.” He says with a long sigh, and a face hoof.